Three people stranded at sea off Northland could have been rescued much faster if they were carrying basic safety equipment, according to the Coastguard.
The two adults and a child were on a four metre boat heading to Goat Island from Leigh when they ran out of petrol on Saturday.
An aerial search found them on Sunday.
A cellphone those on board were texting from went flat, and they had no marine VHF radio, chart, compass or signalling device such as a torch or flares.
They were found close to 25 nautical miles from their intended destination.
Wind gusts of up to 48 knots or almost 90kmh were recorded on Saturday night and the Coastguard said this would have blown them off course.
Police say those on board are safe and well and the boat is being towed back to shore.
